Raheem Morris: Josh Freeman will have to wait his turn

It appears that first-round draft pick Josh Freeman's regular-season debut will wait at least another week.

Head coach Raheem Morris reiterated Monday that second-year pro Josh Johnson, who started the past three games, ''is the quarterback.''

"Josh Freeman's got to wait his turn,'' Morris said during his weekly news conference at One Buc Place.

Asked whether the Bucs would try to work Freeman into the game for a series or two during next Sunday's game against the New England Patriots in London, Morris said no, citing the team's short week and travel schedule.

"It's definitely challenging to get two young guys going, get two guys motivated,'' Morris said.

He said he did not think Johnson took a step back during Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers. Morris pointed to Johnson's third-down runs, his ability to get the ball to tight end Kellen Winslow and that he threw just one interception.

Morris acknowledged that Johnson missed a wide-open Sammie Stroughter on the Bucs' second drive (calling it a "miscommunication of a route concept'') and made a "bad decision'' on his interception that opened the second half. Mostly, however, Morris was displeased with the offense's inability to finish drives and its propensity for committing costly penalties.

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